Dehra Dun, July 06: In a novel venture, eco-friendly `community kitchens' have been launched in the hilly terrains of Uttaranchal, providing relief to women from their traditional smoky `chullahs'. Under the scheme, Hindustan Petroleum would provide gas connections and cooking ranges in 100 villages of Uttaranchal for community kitchens to be run in collaboration with a local NGO, Rural Litigation and Entitlement Kendra (RLEK).

The scheme would be launched in three districts - Dehra Dun, Uttarkashi and Tehri - where RLEK has set up self-help groups under the scheme sponsored by the Union Ministry of Rural Development and UNDP. "The concept is that any woman from these villages can come and cook meals on the cooking range, paying for the cost of the gas proportionate to the time taken by her on a monthly basis," said RLEK chairman Avadash Kaushal.
The important thing about the project, that would cost Rs two crore, is that it would bring all the women irrespective of their caste and religion to cook their meals on a single cooking range," Kaushal said.

"Generally chullahs in hilly areas are very smoky and cause several deadly diseases like TB to women. This scheme would provide great relief to women," he said. Bureau Report